A DAD'S club has been launched in Acomb offering a free breakfast and a chance for dads to bring their kids along and get together with others in the same boat.

Working together, volunteer group Yorkey Dads, Lidgett Methodist church and Acomb’s Labour Councillor, Stuart Barnes, plan to grow the group to offer other activities.

Councillor Barnes said: “Having two young kids myself I know how difficult it can be sometimes as dads (and mums) try to balance work, family and other commitments. “I hope this will be a good way for dads to get together, have a chat over a bacon butty and gradually form links that will all add to the strong community spirit in Acomb, whilst giving a bit of support to dads at what can be a tricky and sometimes quite lonely time in life.”

The Acomb Breakfast club runs on the second Saturday of each month at Lidgett Methodist church from 9am until 10:30am.

Work previously carried out in Acomb by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation showed that loneliness and social isolation is a problem that can affect people at all stages of life, not just the elderly.

Graham Carter of Lidgett Methodist Church said: “As a church we’ve always been very mindful of the issue of social isolation. We already run a very popular community café on a Wednesday which attracts lots of local residents, including lots of young parents.

“That said, few of the parents we see at the Wednesday café tend to be dads so we thought this might be a good way to try and encourage a few more Acomb dads to get together and build local links.

“Although the focus is on trying to encourage dads to come together, mums, non-dads and others will also receive a warm welcome.”

Local MP Rachael Maskell also attended the breakfast club to show her support. She said:

“Children change relationships in the family, bringing new responsibilities and they have a major economic impact.

“With day to day living, jobs and household chores to balance, parents - particularly dads, don’t always receive the help and support they need and often find there is very little opportunity to talk to other people, something I found out with my Family Friendly York initiative. Sometimes it is difficult to meet other dads in a social environment. The breakfast club is a brilliant idea that will bring dads together.”

Mike Hassell, co-chair of Yorkey Dads said:

“We’re really pleased to see the popularity of Yorkey Dads grow and spread to different parts of the city. What started as just a few dads coming together to offer support and share a space to chat has now grown into something that works across York.

“Already we’re looking at other possibilities including a dads' mindfulness course, bike workshop, picnic, breakfast, barbecue and other social meet ups. We add all of our group events to the Yorkey Dads Facebook page where people can look for more information.”

Or contact Acomb Councillor Stuart Barnes at Barnesstuart@hotmail.com